Arsenal International round-up as Mesut Ozil prepares for Spain and Brazil challenges

International breaks are rarely welcomed with open arms by fans who miss their Arsenal fix – but for football lovers this week is serving up some tasty ties with 14 players from the club set to be amongst the action. Find out more with Rosie Tudball’s comprehensive round-up.

Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson shares his excitement on his Instagram after scoring two goals for the England U19 side. Credit Reiss Nelson Instagram

The England U-19’s continue their European Championship campaign after their opening 4-1 victory over Hungary on Wednesday in Macedonia during the Elite Round Qualifiers.

Three Gunners featured in Paul Simpson’s squad with forward Reiss Nelson bagging a brace alongside competition top-scorer Eddie Nketiah and midfielder Joe Willock who also started the game.

Nelson tweeted after the game: “Good start to the international break with two goals”.

The U19’s need to top their group to proceed to this summers’ Euro finals in Finland, with two games remaining against Latvia on Friday and Macedonia on Tuesday.

Jack Wilshere has been ruled out of Holland v England. Picture: PA

All three highly-rated starlets have made an impression playing for the senior Arsenal team since the start of the season as they aim to leave their mark on the U19’s too.

The Young Lions made the Elite Round in November when they were victorious over the Faroe Islands, Bulgaria and Iceland. England won the Euro Championship last summer, and will be looking to add to their collection this year – should they top the group.

With the World Cup successes of the English youth teams at U17 and U20 level last summer, their triumphs will surely inspire the talented crop of U19’s.

Mohamed Elneny is set to play for Egypt against Portugal on Friday. Credit: Mohamed Elneny Instagram

First Team

Away from the youth Euro campaign, 11 senior members of the squad will feature in the weeks friendlies.

Vice-captain Laurent Koscielny will go head to head with David Ospina, when France host Colombia in Paris on Friday.

Granit Xhaka prepares to play for Switzerland against Greece and Panama. Credit @granitxhaka Instagram

The England camp are in Amsterdam to play the Netherlands on Friday evening.

Danny Welbeck could feature however Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate confirmed midfielder Jack Wilshere has been ruled out of the game at the AmsterdamArena with a knee injury – although the former Middlesbrough manager said the 26-year-old could play against Italy on Tuesday at Wembley.

Mohamed Elneny will be relieved to see Mohammed Salah not as opposition on International duty. The Egyptian is in Switzerland ahead of Egypt’s friendlies against Greece on Friday, and Portugal on Tuesday.

World Champions Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi face two thrilling warm ups ahead of the World Cup.

Mesut Ozil is looking forward to playing for Germany. Instagram @m10_official

The duo will remain in Germany for both of their games, hosting Spain in Dusseldorf on Friday and Brazil in Berlin on Tuesday.

Germany’s games will be good preparation for their mission to retain their title in Russia with Mesut Ozil posting on Instagram: “We’re ready and we want to win the title again!”

Named Armenian Player of the Year this morning, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not feature on Friday like the others, with Armenia’s game against Estonia set for Saturday.

Granit Xhaka is in Thessalonki as Greece host Switzerland on Friday. The national team will then return to Switzerland to play Panama on Tuesday. He announced his return to the national team on Instagram.

Alex Iwobi will be hoping for another successful international break. The young forward is in Wroclaw as Nigeria play Poland on Friday, before heading to Barnet when Serbia visit on Tuesday.

Sead Kolasinac is in Razgrad as Bosnia and Herzegovina go head-to-head with Bulgaria on Friday. The German-born defender faces Senegal on Tuesday in Le Havre.

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